GARY Neville believes the shambolic build-up to yesterday's friendly international with Denmark and the continued fallout from the Rio Ferdinand case will never happen again.

But the Manchester United star again defended the widely criticised decision of the England players to threaten strike action before the vital Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

Neville limped out of England's 3-2 defeat after just 16 minutes. But he spoke passionately after the match about the Football Association's latest embarrassment triggered by Alan Smith's selection and subsequent demotion from the England squad.

The England stars remain angry that Smith and Ferdinand are being unjustly punished before their cases for alleged misbehaviour are resolved. But Neville says new FA rules, introduced possibly before England's next game, will eradicate any repeat of the fiasco.

Principles

"This week fully justified what happened in Turkey," said the Bury-born defender.

"It was about the principal of pre-judging and punishing players before they had had an opportunity to answer to something.

"We had to make a case but now it has come back to the fore quicker than anyone thought it would.

"However, imagine if this had happened to an England squad member on the eve of the European Championships. We've got to be thankful it's happened again so quickly so there can be a change of policy.

"The policy in place for the last two situations won't be enforced again, I'm pretty sure about that."

Responsibility

Neville accepts the players have a responsibility to behave themselves away from the pitch.

"Sometimes, though, you have got to back players in certain situations" he adds.

"And because of the decisions that have been made in the last two months we cannot trust this current policy.

"The FA are in a difficult position but they could have had made it a little easier for themselves. And they will do from now on.

"Those decisions will be taken out of individual hands. We want it sorting out as quickly as possible and I'm sure the people at the FA want the same thing."

Asked whether he had sympathy for FA chief Mark Palios, Neville added: "Mr Palios got a lot of praise last month but last week he took a lot of criticism.

"He is in a difficult job because the eyes of the world are on him. Football is biggest single thing in this country and the England team is huge.

"But he is a big man and you don't put yourself up to be shot at unless you are willing to take the praise or the criticism.

"I'm sure the FA will sort out because they all want the best for the England team."